14 Simple Ways To Make Your Home More Awesome

These DIY projects aren't just pretty—they'll make your home snazzier and more awesome.

If you're a wine-drinker who likes to save your corks, figuring out what to do with the leftovers can be a dilemma. Luckily, Alyssa & Carla have a great idea for a dead-simple project: Assemple your corks into an ombre trivet! Since they're already naturally blushed, no painting is necessary—just trim them to an even height and hot-glue them together. Ta-da!

2. Funky Switchplates

The Plumed Nest

Standard beige switchplates are so boring. Swap them out for something more exciting. Follow this tutorial at The Plumed Nest for a quick and easy update, using nothing but crafting paper (or fabric, if you wish!), an x-acto knife, glue, and a paint brush. Either update your current plates, or buy cheap ones at your favorite hardware store and switch them out as your mood dictates.

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3. Upgraded Medicine Cabinet

The Merrythought

Is your medicine cabinet getting a bit disorganized? Don't worry: The Merrythought has your back. After giving the cabinet a thorough cleaning, follow her tips to reorganize. We're particularly in love with the gorgeous DIY floral magnets she's created and the ingenius hair tie holder-slash-spool.

4. Coffee Perch

Francois et Moi

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Even if you've got an abundance of side tables, it can be nice to have a place to hold your drink immediately at-hand. Francois et Moi's striped wooden drink perch fits neatly over the arm of your sofa, and is a great project for first-time woodworkers (there are detailed instructions on her site).

5. Bead Window Pulls

Hello Natural

Why settle for the dull white plastic pulls that come with your blinds? These beaded curtain pulls from Hello Natural are ten times cuter, and you can customize them in whatever colors work for you and your home. Neons? Woods? Whatever you prefer, it's easy to make, and the project itself is a fast way to bring your own personality to a drab room.

6. IKEA Bar Cart

Sugar & Cloth

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Not everyone can afford the time or money to hunt down the perfect bar cart, but thanks to Sugar & Cloth's clever IKEA hack, you can stop searching. The KALLAX bookshelf is only $35, and with a set of flashy brass casters, some golden hardware, and a foiling pen, it makes a beautiful space to store all of your bar necessities.

7. Painted Lightbulb Vases

Akamatra

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These inventive, itty-bitty lightbulb vases are so easy to make—and a great place to display small blooms. Blogger Akamatra promises this project will take less than an hour, and we can't disagree. All you need is nail polish, tweezers, a burnt-out lightbulb, and a perforator, if you'd like to create designs.

8. Wooden Computer Stand

A New Bloom

Hunching over to stare at your screen can hurt your back and neck, but elevating your monitor can help address some of these problems. A New Bloom offers an easy and inexpensive way to create a cute wooden stand that will look great on your desk and make your neck so much happier.

9. Ponytail Pillow

Onelmon

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Speaking of neck pain: How annoying is it when a ponytail prevents you from getting comfy with a pillow? If you want to rest your head against something while you read, but don't want to mess up your ponytail, this ponytail pillow DIY from Onelmon is surprisingly easy (if you've got thicker hair, feel free to add in a little more padding).

10. Tablecloth Weights

Johanna Rundel

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Weighing down your tablecloth is particularly useful outside, but adding some weights to your indoor table is useful, too, adding charm (and a smooth tablecloth) to your tablescape. These gemstone cement weights from Johanna Rundel (site in German) are made using a silicone mold, but you can use anything you've got, like ice cube molds, to make them.

11. TeaStrainer

High Walls

Drink a lot of loose-leaf tea? Why not add some whimsy to your strainer? These clever beaded strainers from High Walls both infuse your tea and provide weight to make sure your infuser doesn't slip underwater, requiring you to fish it out from the hot waters.

12. Gem Wine Stoppers

Almost Makes Perfect

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Some people don't drink an entire bottle of wine in one sitting, and if that's the case for you, a cute wine stopper is just the ticket. We adore these stunning faux gem wine stoppers from Almost Makes Perfect, made using translucent clay, used corks, amd glue. It's a fantastic way to preserve your wine, and look chic while doing so.

13. Mossy Monogram

The Chic Site

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Monograms are all the rage—but why not kick yours up a notch? This moss-covered monogram from The Chic Site is a fantastic reinvention of the trend, sure to make all of your guests super-jealous. It's a bit messy to make, but the results are so worth it. It's a truly awesome way to welcome friends and family home.

14. Terracotta Cloche

House of Earnest

Sure, the weather outside is frightful, but preparing for warm temperatures can be delightful. If you can't wait for the first springtime barbecue, make these terracotta cloches from House of Earnest in advance. Not only are they functional (no flies on your hummus! and your hummus stays warm!) but they're cute enough to serve as table accents by themselves.

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